Did you know MI6 once recommended using semen for invisible ink?

This tweet just caught our eye…

The UK POW trick to use semen as invisible ink was devised by Sir Mansfield Cumming and sometimes life is so beautiful I can hardly stand it

— Gin and Tacos (@gin_and_tacos) July 19, 2017

Sounds implausible doesn’t it – but it checks out on Wikipedia:

When SSB (MI6) discovered that semen made a good invisible ink, his agents adopted the motto “Every man his own stylo”. However, the use of semen as invisible ink was ceased because of the smell it produced for the eventual receiver. It also raised questions over the masturbatory habits of the agents.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield_Smith-Cumming

BTW: Sir Mansfield Cumming was actually the inspiration for M in James Bond, and in the SSB he used to sign his letters as “C” in green ink.

He probably should have seen a doctor about that.

Also if any Poke readers want to try this at home – please give it a go and send us the photos.

Source: Twitter/@gin_and_tacos